Monday, May 02, 2011

Facing discrimination, dalits take to hair cutting

May 2, 2011,

TUMKUR: The barbers in the village refused to cut their hair as they were dalits. But these people did not turn a hair. They took it as a challenge. This discrimination by the caste Hindus forced them to learn hair cutting and prove themselves as professional barbers at Bisilehalli in Tumkur district.

Residents said barbers in the area used to refuse to cut their hair or kept separate scissors and combs to trim their hair. But dalits instead of protesting took this as a challenge and decided not to visit the village saloons. Instead they started their saloons.

Dalit-dominated Bisilehalli has a decent literacy rate and most residents are either government servants or work with private firms.

Ravi, a local resident, said dalits have depended on caste Hindus for their hair cuts. "But saloon owners in the village and neighbouring areas used separate scissors and combs to cut our hair or used to turn us away. We were insulted,'' he said. "This forced us to learn the skill of hair cutting.''

He said barbers used to bathe after cutting hair of dalits. "This provoked us to have our own shops,'' he said. "We are practising this for the past couple of decades and now no dalit visits non-dalit barbers in the village.''

Another villager, Somanna, said dalits are experimenting with different hair styles. "We are ready to compete with professional hair cutters,'' he said. He said this has surprised caste Hindus and village barbers.

Tumkur deputy commissioner Somashekar said he was unaware of the boycott. "I will look into it. We will take legal action against those practising untouchability.''  

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Facing-discrimination-dalits-take-to-hair-cutting/articleshow/8137888.cms

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